David Ross, The Herald’s long-serving Highland correspondent, is to receive this year’s Barron Trophy, which recognises lifetime achievement in journalism in the Highlands and Islands.

David will be presented with the prestigious award at the annual Highlands and Islands Press Ball and Media Awards, being held at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, on Friday 3 February.

David was brought up in Perthshire and Argyll, his father the son of a Presbyterian minister and his mother from a croft on the island of Iona. He studied in Edinburgh to be a teacher of history and modern studies. But David was to follow a career in journalism and worked with the Community Education monthly newspaper SCAN and the Times Educational Supplement Scotland (TESS) before joining the Glasgow Herald in Edinburgh.

His move to the north came in August 1988 when he was appointed to his current role covering the Highlands and Islands.​

From his base in Cromarty, David produces a wide range of writing including the top news stories of the day, features, obituaries, arts reviews, leader-writing, columns, magazine and business articles.

In 2005, David edited a book marking the 50th anniversary of the Crofters Commission - 'Crofting People and Politics - Five Decades of the Crofters Commission.'Since April 2015, David has worked for The Herald on a part-time basis.

His son, Calum, has followed in dad’s footsteps into journalism and is Chief Reporter of the Press and Journal, based in Inverness. Calum has been short-listed for Reporter of the Year in this year’s Highlands and Islands Media Awards.

David said: “I feel very honoured to be awarded the Barron Trophy, not least because I am following in the footsteps of really significant figures in Highland journalism, including many good friends. Sadly, not all are still with us.

“They shared a commitment to the Highlands and Islands as a very special part of Scotland.”

BBC reporters Craig Anderson and Jackie O’Brien nominated David for the award. They agree that few journalists have contributed more to journalism in the Highlands and Islands over the last 30 years than David.

Craig said: “I’ve been a constant admirer of David’s craft and style. He is a dogged and enthusiastic seeker after the truth. His writing style is fluid and forthright. And he conducts himself with a combination of amiability and professionalism.

“David has survived – indeed thrived – throughout a period of massive change within the paper – changes which have been far more fundamental than the dropping of “Glasgow” in the title. But he has continued to plough his furrow with articles that dig behind the headlines to highlight issues which go to the heart of where we are in the Highlands and where we might be going.”

Jackie said: “David has made his mark with the major stories that have touched the lives of ordinary Highlanders. Accuracy is his middle name but his passion for the land on which he lives and works brings David's work to life.

“David Ross is a modest, kind and compassionate man whose love of the north of Scotland, its distinctive cultures and its people makes him one of the best journalists the area will ever have.”